Tribute to Jacob ‘Baby Jake’ Matlala

Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula and Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala enjoy a boxing match to raise funds for the ailing former WBO, WBU and IBA flyweight and light flyweight world champion. Retired four-time world champion Baby Jake appeared at the boxing tournament, easing f ...

Boxers Takalani Dangala and Warren Joubert exchange blows during a tribute to Baby Jake Matlala at Emperors Palace. Retired four-time world champion Baby Jake appeared at a boxing tournament, easing fears over the health of the popular ex-fighter and smallest world title ...

Boxers exchanged blows during a tribute to Baby Jake Matlala at Emperors Palace. Retired four-time world champion Baby Jake appeared at a boxing tournament, easing fears over the health of the popular ex-fighter and smallest world titleholder. The 1.47-meter Matlala arri ...

Boxers exchanged blows during a tribute to Baby Jake Matlala at Emperors Palace. Retired four-time world champion Baby Jake appeared at a boxing tournament, easing fears over the health of the popular ex-fighter and smallest world titleholder. The 1.47-meter Matlala arri ...

Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula, Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala and his wife Mapula Matlala enjoy a boxing match to raise funds for the ailing former WBO, WBU and IBA flyweight and light flyweight world champion. Retired four-time world champion Baby Jake appeared at the b ...

Boxers exchanged blows during a tribute to Baby Jake Matlala at Emperors Palace. Retired four-time world champion Baby Jake appeared at a boxing tournament, easing fears over the health of the popular ex-fighter and smallest world titleholder. The 1.47-meter Matlala arri ...

Boxers exchanged blows during a tribute to Baby Jake Matlala at Emperors Palace. Retired four-time world champion Baby Jake appeared at a boxing tournament, easing fears over the health of the popular ex-fighter and smallest world titleholder. The 1.47-meter Matlala arri ...

Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala and his wife Mapula Matlala enjoy a boxing match to raise funds for the ailing former WBO, WBU and IBA flyweight and light flyweight world champion. Retired four-time world champion Baby Jake appeared at the boxing tournament, easing fears over ...

January 28 2011 at 07:00am

Retired four-time world champion Jacob “Baby Jake” Matlala appeared at a boxing tournament held in his honour, easing fears over the health of the popular ex-fighter and smallest world titleholder. The 1.47-meter Matlala arrived at the “Night of the Little Big Men” event at Emperors Palace on a throne carried by bearers, smiling and waving to fans before walking confidently to his ringside seat. Matlala, a former WBO, WBU and IBA flyweight and light flyweight world champion, was admitted to an intensive care unit three times last year with complications related to pneumonia.

Promoter Rodney Berman aims to raise $70 000 for the South African, who he says has been left “financially stretched” by his medical bills.